Cloth rolling machine



arch M, 193 H. M. BUNKER- El AL. 9

CLOTH ROLLING MACHINE Filed Oct. 26, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l N I INVENTORS I .HORA CEZZBU/V/(E/ Dj Geo/me S. WHEEL wm r N BY FERN/(R HAJORQS A TTORNEYS.

H. M. BUNKER ET AL CLOTH ROLLING MACHINE 2 sneets-sneet' 2 Filed Oct. 26, 1933 INVENTORS' ffORAcE M Bu/vms/e' GEORGE iW/EZLWRIGHT f BY FRANKRNAJOROS ATTORNEYS. 1

Patented Mar. 31, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLOTH ROLLING MACHINE Application October 26, 1933, Serial No. 695,280

6 Claims.

This invention has to do with cloth rolling machines and has more particular reference to an improved machine for rolling bias cloth.

Due to its inherent nature and tendency to become distorted, if subjected to any appreciable longitudinal pulling strains or stresses, bias cloth has presented a difficult problem when it comes to forming the same in a roll, especially where the roll is to be subsequently sliced into smaller lengths, as the convolutions must be wrapped around each other sufficiently tight and the roll compact, firm or dense enough that the slicing knives will effect a clean even out.

It is, therefore, the principal object of this invention to provide a machine which is so designed, constructed and arranged, as to form a roll of bias cloth in which the convolutions thereof are so wrapped around each other that the finished roll possesses the requisite quality 20 of compactness, firmness or density as to insure a clean and even cut by the knives of the roll slicing machine, while the forming of the roll is accomplished without subjecting the cloth to detrimental tensions or pulling strains which distort or otherwise damage the cloth.

The invention also provides a rolling machine for bias cloth which effects a more uniform wrapping of the convolutions of the roll around each other, whereby the side edges of the length of cloth, on the roll, more nearly register than heretofore thereby resulting in a substantial saving in material by reducing to a marked degree the waste as a result of the trimming'of the ends of the roll.

As a further feature, the invention provides an improved bias cloth rolling machine by virtue of which the more accurate and even rolling of the cloth is accomplished automatically and by the inherent functioning of the machine so that it practically requires the attention of an operator only for the purpose of initially starting and finishing each roll and the replenishing of the supply of material being fed to the machine. 45 As a still further feature, the machine is constructed in such a manner as to make a provision or compensate for the movement of the seamed portions of bias cloth as it is wound on the roll.

Other objects of the invention reside in the provision of an improved bias cloth rolling machine which embodies but few parts which parts are comparatively simple and not unduly complicated in their construction so that they may be inexpensively produced and assembled to build the machine and which machine possesses the qualities of durability of structure and economy and efficiency of operation.

With the above enumerated and other objects and advantages in view, reference is now made to the following specification and accompanying 5 drawings by which there is disclosed, by way of example, a preferred embodiment, while the appended claims cover variations and modifications which fall within the perview of the invention.

In the drawings: 10

Fig. 1 is a front view of a rolling machine constructed in accordance with the present invention, parts thereof being broken away and shown in section to disclose the underlying structure.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the machine as viewed from the right of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view therethrough taken approximately on a plane indicated at the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, 5 and 6 designate generally the opposite side frame structures which are suitably connected by the cross braces l and 8 and tie rod 9. The machine includes the usual tensioning and straightening frame, including a plurality of parallel rods ll] supported at their opposite ends by the brackets l l which project forwardly from the side frame structures 5 and 6 and having a pair of adjustable Width guides 12 positioned on the rods I0 and spaced from each other a distance approximating the width of the cloth or fabric A which is to be rolled, it being understood that said cloth or fabric I0 is alternately trained over and under the several straightening or tensioning rods Ill in the manner illustrated.

A positively driven rotary intake roller I5 is mounted on and secured to a shaft I6 which extends transversely of the rear of the machine and provides a horizontal axis of rotation, the shaft being journaled in a bearing I1 and designed to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrows. Preferably, the roller 15 is of wood or has a wooden periphery and is provided with a spiralled wire I8 grounded to the shaft l6 and thence to the frame in order to provide means for removing static from the cloth as it passes thereover and to assist in the feeding of the fabric from the source of supply to the straightening and tensioning frame rods Ill. The spiralling of the wire is such as to effect a smoothing of the fabric 50 outwardly from the center so as to remove any kinks therefrom and thereby present the fabric in a smooth fiat condition to the initial or foremost rod II). It should also be understood that the character of the intake roller [5 and its 55 feeding effect on the fabric or cloth A is such as to maintain a slack between the roller l5 and the initial straightening rod ID. The rolling assemblage includes a pair of cylindrical winding elements or drums 20 and 2|, one of which, in the present instance, and preferably the lower drum 20, is secured to a transverse horizontal shaft 22, the opposite ends of which are journalled for fixed rotation in bearings 23 in the opposite side frame structures 5 and 6 so that said lower drum, while designed to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow, is fixed against bodily movement. The other or upper drum 2| is secured to a transverse horizontal shaft 24 which shaft is journaled at its opposite ends in the side rails 25 of a frame structure which also includes tie rods 26 and a fulcrum shaft 21 which is mounted in the opposite side frame structures 5 and 6 with the fulcrum point disposed adjacent the rear of the frame rails 25.

Under this arrangement, the upper winding drum 2| is mounted for guided movement towards and away from the lower winding drum 2|] and in the present disclosure, normally moves under its weight or by gravity towards the lower winding drum 20. The winding assembly further includes a batching spindle 28 upon which the roll is to be formed and which spindle is removably carried by the frame so as to permit of the telescopic association therewith of the shell tubular core 29. The opposite terminals 30 of the batching spindle protrude from the opposite ends of the core and roll to be formed and are positioned in a pair of stationary vertical guides 3|, which are formed in or carried by the opposite side frame structures 5 and 6 and located so that the axis of rotation of the spindle is disposed in the same vertical plane and particularly to the axis of rotation of the shaft 22 of the lower winding drum 20. The arrangement is such that the batching spindle is free to rotate and also free to move bodily upward as the size of the roll being formed increases. It should also be here noted, that the guide rotational and bodily vertical movement of the batching spindle is such as to permit of a limited canting of the same so as to compensate for the movement of the seamed portions of bias cloth which is being wound upon the batching spindle.

As illustrated, the roll being formed, which is designated at R, rests on the periphery of the lower winding drum 20 and the upper winding drum 2| in turn contacts with a substantially diametrical opposite point of the roll R while the strip of fabric is so trained around a guide or guides as to cause a portion of the strip immediately in advance of the roll R to extend a substantial distance around the periphery of the lower drum 20. As particularly illustrated, in the present instance, two guides are employed, both of which are wooden rollers 35 and 36, the former being secured to a transverse horizontal shaft 3! and the latter to a transverse horizontal shaft 38. While it is not desired that the invention be limited to the particular arrangement of the guide rollers 35 and 36, the best results, in actual practice, have been attained by this arrangement in which the axis of the lower guide roller 36 is located in the same horizontal plane with the axis of the straightening and tensioning frame rods I0 and with the axis of said lower guide roller in a vertical plane slightly in rear of the vertical plane in which the axes of the winding drums and batching spindle are located. The other upper roller has its axis in a vertical plane in rear of the vertical plane in which the axis of the first mentioned guide roller lies and in a horizontal plane between the horizontal plane in which lie the axes of the lower guide roller and the lower winding drum, but nearer the horizontal plane in which the axis of the lower winding drum lies.

The lower winding drum shaft 22 is directly coupled. to the power or drive shaft 40 and hence directly driven thereby. A sprocket 4| on the drive shaft 40 is connected by a sprocket chain 42 to a sprocket on a counter-shaft 43 for also driving said counter-shaft in a clockwise direction. Suitable gearing 44 transmits motion to the shaft 31 of the upper guide roller 35 to turn said guide in a counter-clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3. Motion is transmitted to the lower guide roller shaft 35 by a belt 45 so as to turn the lower guide roller 35 in a counter-clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3. Motion is transmitted to the intake roller from the counter-shaft by a sprocket 46 on the counter-shaft around which a sprocket chain 41 is chained, the sprocket chain being also extending around a sprocket 48 on a stub 49 journaled in the bracket H.

A gear 50 on the stub shaft 49 meshes with a pinion 5| on the intake roller shaft the ratio of the gear 50 and pinion 5! being such as to turn the intake roller at the proper surface speed I to accomplish its purpose and the transmission of motion to said roller being such as to revolve the intake roller in a counter-clockwise direction as indicated by the arrows in Figs. 2 and 3. The

upper winding drum is driven by a sprocket chain 52 which is trained around a sprocket secured to its shaft 24 and a sprocket on the fulcrum shaft 21, the fulcrum shaft being turned by a sprocket chain 53 and sprockets respectively secured to the shaft 21 of the counter-shaft 43. This driving effects rotation of the upper winding drum 2| in a counter-clockwise direction, it being understood that the combined peripheral rolling engagement of the winding drums 20 and 2| impinge at diametrically opposite linear points and the roll R effects the winding of the roll.

What is claimed is:

1. A bias cloth rolling machine including a lower fixed, positively driven, rotary winding drum over a portion of the periphery of which the cloth is trained and upon which drum the roll rests as it is being formed, a batching spindle upon which the roll is formed, said spindle having terminals protruding from the opposite ends of the roll, a pair of stationary vertical guides within which the opposite terminals of the batching spindle are positioned and by which said terminals are guided and permitted to rotate, an upper positively driven rotary winding drum resting upon and having peripheral contact with the roll at a point substantially diametrically opposite the lower winding drum, means mounting the upper winding drum for guided movement towards and away from the lower drum, and a pair of guide rollers mounted to turn on axes parallel to each other, and to the axis of the lower winding drum, the axis of one of said guide rollers being disposed below and in rear of the axes of the lower winding drum and the axes of the other guide roller being disposed below and between the vertical planes in which the axes of the first mentioned guide roller and the lower winding drum is located.

2, A bias cloth rolling machine includinga; lower fixed, positively driven, rotary winding: drum over a portion of the periphery of which the cloth is trained and upon which drum therollrests as it is being formed, a. batching: spindle upon which the roll is formed, said spindle having: terminals protruding from the opposite ends of the roll, a pair of stationary vertical. guides within which the opposite terminals of the batching spindle are positioned and bywhichisai-d'terminals are guided and permitted. to rotate, and an up:- per positively driven rotary windingdrum: rest ing upon and having peripheral contact with the roll at a point substantially diametrically opposite the lower winding drum, and means mounting the upper winding drum for guided movement towards and away from the lower drum, a tensioning and straightening frame located forwardly of, and below the winding rolls, and including a plurality of parallel rods having their axes in the same horizontal plane, and over andunder which rods the cloth is alternately trained, a pair of guide rollers, the axis of one of which is located in the same horizontal plane with the axes of the rods of the straightening and tensioning frame, and with its axis in a vertical plane in rear of the vertical plane in which the. axes of the winding drums are located, the other of said guide rollers having its axis in a vertical plane in rear of the vertical plane of the axis of the first mentioned guide roller, and said second mentioned guide roller having its axis in a horizontal plane located between the horizontal planes, in which lie the axes of the lower guide roller and the lower winding drum, but slightly nearer the horizontal plane in which the axis of the lower winding drum lies.

3. A bias clothrolling machine including a lower fixed, positively driven, rotary winding drum over a portion of the periphery of which the cloth is trained and upon which drum the roll rests as it is being formed, a batching spindle upon which the roll is formed, said spindle having terminals protruding from the opposite ends of the roll, a pair of stationary vertical guides within which the opposite terminals of the batching spindle are positioned and by which said terminals are guided and permitted to rotate, and an upper positively driven rotary winding drum resting upon and having peripheral contact with the roll at a point substantially diametrically opposite the lower winding drum, and means mounting the upper winding drum for guided movement towards and away from the lower drum, a tensioning and straightening frame located forwardly of, and below the winding rolls, and including a plurality of parallel rods having their axes in the same horizontal plane, and over and under which rods the cloth is alternately trained, a pair of guide rollers, the axis of one of which is located in the same horizontal plane with the axes of the rods of the straightening and tensioning frame, and with its axis in a vertical plane in rear of the vertical plane in which the axes of the winding drums are located, the other of said guide rollers having its axis in a vertical plane in rear of the vertical plane of the axis of the first mentioned guide roller, and said second mentioned guide roller having its axis in a horizontal plane located between the horizontal planes, in which lie the axes of the lower guide roller and the lower winding drum, but slightly nearer the horizontal plane in which the axis of the lower winding drum lies, and a positively driven rotary intake roller mounted on an axis located below and in rear of the axis of the lower, guide roller,. over'the periphery of which intake roller is trained the cloth leading from the source of supply and from which. intake roller the clothv leads directly to the straightening and tensioningv frame.

4..A bias cloth rolling machine including a lower fixed, positively driven, rotary winding drum over a portion of the periphery of which the cloth is trained and upon which drum the roll rests as it is being formed, a. batching spindle upon which the roll is formed, said spindle ha ing terminals protruding from the opposite ends of the roll, a pair of stationary vertical guides within which the opposite terminals of the batching spindle are positioned and by which said terminals are guided and permitted to rotate, and an upper positively driven rotary winding drum resting upon and having peripheral contact with the roll at a. point substantially diametrically 1 opposite the lower winding drum, and means mounting the upper winding drum for guided movement towards and away from the lower drum,.a tensioning and straightening frame located forwardly of, and below the winding rolls, and including a plurality of parallel rods having their axes in the same horizontal plane, and over and under which rods the cloth is alternately trained, a pair of guide rollers, the axis of one of which: is located in the same horizontal plane.

with the axes of the rods of the straightening and tensioning frame, and with its axis in a vertical plane in rear of the vertical plane in which the axes of the winding drums are located, the

other of said guide rollers having its axis in a vertical planein rear of the vertical plane of the axis of the first mentioned guide roller, and said second mentioned guide roller having its axis in a horizontal plane located between the horizontal planes, in which lie the axes of the lower guide a roller and the lower winding drum, but slightly nearer the horizontal plane in which the axis of the lower winding drum lies, and a positively driven rotary intake roller mounted on an axis located below and in rear of the axis of the lower guide roller, over the periphery of which intake roller is trained the cloth leading from the source of supply and from which intake roller the cloth leads directly to the straightening and tensioning frame, and means on said intake roller for removing static from the cloth as it passes thereover.

5. A bias cloth rolling. machine including a lower fixed, positively driven, rotary winding drum over a portion of the periphery of which the cloth I is trained and upon which drum the roll rests as it is being formed, a batching spindle upon which the roll is formed, said spindle having terminals protruding from the opposite ends of the roll, a

pair of stationary vertical guides within which the opposite terminals of the batching spindle are positioned and by which said terminals are guided and permitted to rotate, and an upper positively driven rotary winding drum resting upon and having peripheral contact with the roll at a point substantially diametrically opposite the lower winding drum, and means mounting the upper winding drum for guided movement towards and away from the lower drum, a tensioning and straightening frame located forwardly of, and below the winding rolls, and including a plurality of parallel rods having their axes in the same horizontal plane, and over and under which rods the cloth is alternately trained, a pair of guide rollers, the axis of one of which is located in the same horizontal plane with the axes of the rods of the straightening and tensioning frame, and with its axis in a vertical plane in rear of the vertical plane in which the axes of the winding drums are located, the other of said guide rollers having its axis in a vertical plane in rear of the vertical plane of the axis of the first mentioned guide roller, and said second mentioned guide roller having its axis in a horizontal plane located between the horizontal planes, in which lie the axes of the lower guide roller and the lower winding drum, but slightly near the horizontal plane in which the axis of the lower winding drum lies, a positively driven rotary intake roller mounted on an axis located below and in rear of the axis of the lower guide roller, over the periphery of which intake roller is trained the cloth leading from the source of supply and from which intake roller the cloth leads directly to the straightening and tensioning frame, and means on said intake roller for removing static from the cloth as it passes thereover, and means for driving said winding drums, the guide rollers and the intake roller.

6. A bias cloth rolling machine including a lower fixed, positively driven, rotary winding drum over a portion of the periphery of which the cloth is trained and upon which drum the roll rests as it is being formed, a batching spindle upon which the roll is formed, said spindle having terminals protruding from the opposite ends of the roll, a pair of stationary vertical guides within which the opposite terminals of the batching spindle are positioned and by which said terminals are guided and permitted to rotate, and an upper positively driven rotary winding drum resting upon and having peripheral contact with the roll at a point substantially diametrically opposite the lower winding drum, and means mounting the upper winding drum for guided movement towards and away from the lower drum, a tensioning and straightening frame located forwardly of, and below the winding rolls, and including a plurality of parallel rods having their axes in the same horizontal plane, and over and under which rods the cloth is alternately trained, a pair of guide rollers, the axis of one of which is located in the same horizontal plane with the axes of the rods of the straightening and tensioning frame, and with its axis in a vertical plane in rear of the vertical plane in which the axes of the winding drums are located, the other of said guide rollers having its axis in a vertical plane in rear of the vertical plane of the axis of the first mentioned guide roller, and said second mentioned guide roller having its axis in a horizontal plane located between the horizontal planes, in which lie the axes of the lower guide roller and the lower winding drum, but slightly nearer the horizontal plane in which the axis of the lower winding drum lies, a' positively driven rotary intake roller mounted on an axis located below and in rear of the axis of the lower guide roller, over the periphery of which intake roller is trained the cloth leading from the source of supply and from which intake roller the cloth leads directly to the straightening and tensioning frame, and means on said intake roller for removing static from the cloth as it passes thereover, and means for driving said winding drums, the guide rollers and the intake roller, said winding drums being of the same diameter and being of a relatively larger diameter than the guide rollers and of a smaller diameter than the intake roller.

HORACE M. BUNKER.

GEO. S. WHEELWRIGHT.

FRANK P. MAJ OROS. 

